Braking mechanism for vehicles.



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No. 694,863. Patented Man-.4, |902.

G. ai A. E. Jeunmes.

BRAKiNG MECHANISM FDR VEHICLES.

(Application led Aug. 22, 1901.) (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheef 2.

UNITED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

GREGORY JENNINGS, OF WEST CAIRO, OHIO, AND AARON E. JENNINGS,

OF CENTRAL CITY, KENTUCKY.

BRAKING MECHANISIVI FOR VEHiCLES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 694,863, dated March 4, 1902.

Y Application iled August 22,l 1901. Serial No. 72,930- (No model.)

To all whom, t may concern-.- I

Be it known that we, GREGORY J ENNINGS, residing of 'West Cairo, in the county of Allen and State of Ohio, and AARON E. JEN- NINGS, residing at CentralCityJn-the county of ll/Iuhlenburg and State of Kentucky, citizens of the United States, have invented new and useful Improvements in Braking Mech.- anism for Vehicles; of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to brakingmechau; ism for road-Wagons Yand other vehicles, the object of the same being to provide simple and effective means for automatically throwing the brake into operation upon the application of back pressure upon the tongue or pole. i

Other objects and-advantages of the invention will hereinafter appear, and the novel features thereof Will be set forth in the claims.

In the drawings forming part of this specification, Figure l is a plan view of a vehicle, showing the application of our improvements thereto. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional View. Fig. 1t is a `perspective view of the coupling pole or reach and the parts connected therewith. Fig'. 5 isa side elevation of one of the brake-shoes. Fig. 6 is a plan View of oneend of the brake-beam and vthe shoe thereon, and

Fig. 7 is a detail perspective view of a modification.

Lilie reference-numerals indicate like parts in the different views.

The front and rear trucks l and'2 of the vehicle areconnected, as usual, by the con pling-pole or reach 3, the same being provided' with an elongated slot 4, through which the king-bolt 5 passes, and With an elongated slot through which a bolt 7 passes, which contongue llris connected with the fronthonnds l2 by Wayof a transversely-extending bolt 13, which passesv through an elongated slot let in said tongue. This connection provides for a limited movement of the tongue 1l in sides of said reach. .19` are provided with eyes or loops to which tween ythe tongue 1l and the reach 3 is prof vided whichv permits of the lateral movement of said tongue lin the slot 10 independently of the reach 3 and of the upward movement of the free end of the tongue l1, independent of the reach 3, as becomes necessary when the vehicle is on a downgrade and the draftanimals are on an upgrade. i

Secured to the under side of the reach 3, adjacent to the forward end thereof, is a plate 17, the same being provided with an opening 18, through whichthe king-bolt 5 passes, and

having at its rear end the upwardly and rearwardly extending arms 19, which straddle or embrace the reachl 3. The .saidpplate 17 is held in position by lthe king-bolt 5 and by the cross-bar 2O on the under side of the reach 3, which connects the rear ends ot' the hounds Lateral movement of the plate 17 is prevented by the engagement of the upwardlyextending armsl9 thereon with the opposite The rear ends of the arms are connected chains 2l, the said chains being .attached at theirrear ends to the hounds 8.

This provides a connection between the' front and rear truck, by which the draft is equally distributed and which permits of the rear- Ward movement of the tongue 1l and reach '3 independent of the trucks l and 2 and the draft connections between the same. Secured to the upper sides of the rear hounds 8,

extending transversely of the vehicle and losupporting-rod is formed at its ends with downwardly-extending arms 26, having loops 27 thereon, which constitute bearings for the IOG brake-beam 25. The said loops are formed by bending the material of which the rod 24 is made back upon itself,fand said loops are closed and the brake-beam prevented from detachment therefrom by removable rods or straps 27 Leading rearwardly from the upper ends of the loops 27 are t-he hooks 28, as

clearly shown. Connected with the hooks 2S and extending rearwardly therefrom are the chains 29, said chains being provided for the adjustment of the position of the arms 26 of the supporting-rod 24, and consequently the position of the bearings 27 in which the brakebeam 25 is mounted. The rear ends-of the chains 29 are con nected to the screw-bolts 30, which project through the rear axle 31 and are provided with nuts 32 on their ends, by means of which the length of said chains may be adjusted.

The outer ends of the brake-beam 25 are formed with upwardly and rearwardly extending crank-arms 33, having studs 34 on the ends thereof, which extend outwardly in a line parallel with the body of the brakebeam 25. On these studs are mounted the brake-shoes 36, the same being provided with washers 36a on opposite sides thereof and held in place by the split pins 37b. One of said shoes is provided for each of the rear wheels 22 and has the rear face 37 thereof curved to conform to the curvature of the periphery of the said wheel. Said shoe is also provided at its lower end with a plate 38, provided for the purpose of weighting down said lower end and retaining said shoe normally in vertical position. Extending transversely through the shoe 36 is a diagonally-arranged slot 39, in

` which the stud 34 on the crank-arm 33 ts.

Intersecting the transverse slot 39 and extending from the upper end of the shoe 36 is a cylindrical passage or opening 40, in which is located a coil-spring 41. Also located within the opening 40 is a pin 42, the stem of which projects up into the spring 41 and the head of which is concave and receives the stud 34, as clearly shown in Fig. 5 of the draw-` ings. The pin 42 serves to center the spring 41 in the opening 40, and said spring is Aof -just sufficient strength to sustain the brakeshoe36 with the stud 34 located at approximately the central point of the diagonallyarranged slot 39. The Lipper end of the brakeshoe 36 is provided with a cap-piece 43, which serves to close the upper end of the opening 40 and retain the spring 41 in place therein. Secured to the brake-beam 25 at a point between the brake-shoes 36 on the opposite ends thereof is a crank-arm 44, the same having pivoted to the upper free end thereof a link or pitman 45, which is also pivoted to an outwardly-projecting arm 46 on a bracket 47, adjustably secured by means of the bolt 48 to one side of the reach 3.

Now it will be observed that when the vehicle is being drawn forwardly by the draftanimals the bolt 13 will occupy a position at the rear end of the slot 14 in the tongue 1l,

the king-bolt 5 will occupy a position at the rear end of the slot 4 in the reach 3, the bolt 7 will occupy a position at the rear end of the slot 6 in the reach 3, and by reason of the fact that the crank-arm 44 on the brake-beam 45 is drawn forwardly the crank-arms 33 on the ends of the brake-beam 25 will be raised, so as to hold the brake-shoes 36 out of contact with the peripheries of the wheels 22. When a downgrade is reached, however, and a holdback action is performedfby the draftanimals, the tongue 1l and l(he reach 3 will be thrown rearwardly with respect to the trucks 1 and 2, as will be apparent. This movement is permitted, as heretofore stated, by the provision of the slots 14, 4, and 6 in these parts. When the reach 3 has this rearward movement imparted to it, it will, through the link or pitman 45 and the crank-arm 44, rock the brake-beam 25 in its bearings 27 on the supporting-rod 24, so as to throw the crank-arms 33 and the studs 34 on the brakebeam 25 rearwardly and downwardly. As the studs 34 work in the inclined slots 39 in the brake-shoes 36 frictional contact to a greater or less degree is brought about between the curved surfaces 37 of said brake-shoes and the peripheries of the wheels 22. The greater the rocking movement of the brake-beam 25 in the direction just described the greater will be the force exerted by the studs 34 on the brake-shoes 36. When frictional contact has been effected by this means between the brake-shoes 36- and the wheels 22, the continued forward movement of the wheels 22 will `tend to force the brake-shoes 36 downwardly. This action is effected against the beam 25 in the opposite direction and instantly release the brake-shoes 36 from their engagement with the wheels 22. Of course a rearward movement of the wheels 22, due to backing, will elevate the-brake-shoes 3G and by reason of the inclined slots 39 will throw said brake-shoes out'of locking engagement with said wheels.

If it be desired to back the vehicle without applying the brakes, it is merely necessary to provide an opening 49 in the reach 3, adjacent to the front end of the hounds S, for the reception of a pin which upon the rearward movement of the reach 3 will impart a rearward movement to the hounds 8 and prevent independent movement of said reach with respect to said hounds. When such independent movement is prevented, it will be obvious that the brake-shoes 36 cannot be applied in the manner just described. It will be obvious, further, however, that as it is only nec- IOO IIO

essary to rock the brake-beam 25 in the proper direction in order to apply the brakes other means may be substituted for that above described for effecting this movement. For example, by suitably-arranged mechanism connected with the crank-arm 44 on the rocking brake-beam 25 said brake-beam may be rocked and the brakes applied by hand.

It has been heretofore stated that the arms 26 on the ends of the supporting-rod 24 are connected by the chains 29 to the rear axle 3l. This provides for a rigid fulcrum for the brake-beam 25 when said brake-beam is rocked to throw the brake-shoes 36 thereon into operative position. It has also been stated that the chains 29 are adjustably connected by means of the nuts 32 to the rear axle 3l. This adjustment provides for increasing or decreasing the braking action of the shoes 36 on the wheels 22 when the former are thrown into operation, and it also provides for changing the level of the bearing-points of the brake-shoes 36 on the wheels 22-that is to say, as the arms 26 normally lie in a substantially vertical position, if the chains 29 be slackened or lengthened by loosening the nuts 32 the lower ends of the arms 26.

on the supporting-rod 2t will be capable of being moved farther forward than they were heretofore. This moves the fulcrum-points of the brake-beam 25 forward, and consequently lowers the point of contact between the brake-shoes 36 and the wheels 22. When this point of contact is thus lowered, the braking action of the shoes 36 on the wheels 22 is increased, as will be` apparent.

In order that the reach 3 may be'normally drawn rearwardly to a greater or less degree, we connect to the rear end of said reach a coil-spring 50, the said spring being attached at its rear end to a rod 5l, passing freely through an opening in the-bolster 52. This rod 5I is pivotally connected with a rotary cam 53, having a handle 5a thereon and designed to bear against the rear side of the bolster 52. When this cam is in its normal position and the draft-animals are at a standstill, the reach 3 is drawn rearwardly, so as Vto throw the shoes 36 in substantially close relation to the peripheries of the rear wheels 22. Then upon the slightest back pressure on the part of the team the brakes will be thrown into operation. lVhen hauling from hilly ground, the cam 53 is turned to a position the reverse of that shown in Fig. l of the drawings, when the highest point thereof, or that which is farthest removed from its pivot, lies in contact with the rear side of the bolster 52. The spring 50 is then under increased tension and tends to draw the reach 3 rearwardly.

independently of the rear hounds 8 with greater force than before. As soon, therefore, as the draft-pressure is relieved the brakeshoes 36 are instantly thrown into engagement with the wheels 22 and can only be re-l moved therefrom by a forward movelnent of the front and rear trucks, which provides for the independent rearward movement of the reach 3. Such construction is clearly illus.-V`

trated in detail in Fig. 7 of the drawings,

wherein the plate 17 is shown on the under side of the reach 3, provided with an opening 1S, through which the king-bolt 5 is adapted to pass, and having the upwardly and rearwardly extending arms 19C, which project above the upper surface of the reach 3. To these arms 19: is connecteda plate 55, which is located on the upper side ofthe reach 3 and rigidly connected to the bolts'.v This means of connection is provided-for the purpose of equalizing the draft throughout all parts of the vehicle.

Having now described our invention, what we claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

I. In a vehicle-brake, a brake-shoe having an inclined snrface,.afbrakebeam having a crank thereon adapted to engage and slide along said inclined surface, the .'said brakebeam being capable of axial rocking movement and mounted in bearings below the point of engagement of said crank with said shoe, and means for rocking said beam. v

2. In a vehicle-brake, a brake-shoe having an inclined-surface, a brake-beam having a crank thereon adapted to engage and slide along said inclined snrface,.the said brakebeain being capable of axial rocking movement and mounted in bearings below the point of engagement of said crank with said shoe, and means for automatically rocking said brake-beam.

3. In a vehicle-brake, a brake-.shoe having an inclined transversely-extendin g slot therein, a brake-beam having acrank-arm with a IOO IIO

projecting stud thereon fitting within said .l

slot and adapted to engage and slide along one of the inclined walls thereof, the said brake-beam being capable of axial rocking movement and mounted in bearings below the point of engagement of said `stud'with said shoe, and means for rocking said beam.

4t. In a vehicle-brake, abrake-shoe having-V an inclined transversely-extending slot therein, a brake-beam having a crank-arm with a projecting stud-thereon tting .within said slot and adapted to engage and slide along one'of the inclined walls thereof, the said brake-beam being capable of axial rocking movement and mounted in bearings below the point of engagement of said stud with said shoe, and means for automatically rocking said beam.

5. In a vehicle-brake, a brake-shoe having aninclined,transversely-extending slottherein and having an opening intersecting said slot, a spring within said opening, a brakebeam having a crank-arm with a projecting stud thereon, the said stud fitting within said slotand engagingthelowerend of said spring, and Vmeans for rocking said brake-beam.

G. In a vehicle-brake, a brake-shoe having an inclined,transversely-extendingslottherein and having an opening intersecting said slot, a'spring within said opening, a brakebeam having a crank-arm with a projecting stud thereon, the said stud fitting within said slot and engaging the lower end of said spring, and means for automatically rocking said brake-beam.

7. In a vehicle-brake, a brake-shoe having an inclined transversely-extending slot therein and having an opening intersecting said slot, a cap on the upper end of said shoe for closing said opening, and a weight upon the lower end thereof for maintaining the same normally in upright position, a coil-springin said opening, a centering-pin for said spring also located within said opening with the stem thereof projecting within said spring and with the head thereof formed withaconcave lower end, a brake-beam having a crank-arm with a projecting stud thereon, the said stud fitting within said inclined slot and seated in the concavity in the head of said pin, and means for rocking said brake-beam.

S. In a vehicle-brake, a brake-shoe having an inclined surface thereon, a brake-beam having a crank thereon adapted to engage'.

and slide along said inclined surface, swinging adjustable bearings t'or said brake-beam,

y and means for rocking said beam.

9. In a vehicle-brake, a brake-shoe having an inclined surface thereon, a brake-beam having a cranl; thereon adapted to engage and slide along said inclined surface bodilymovable bearings for said brake-beam, me'ans for limiting the forward movement of said bearings, and means for rocking said brakebeam. f

10. In a vehicle-brake, a brake shoe having an inclined,transversely-extending slot therein, a brake-beam having a crank-arm with a projecting stud thereon, the said'stud iitting within said slot, a swinging supporting-rod for said brake-beam having downwardly-extending arms at its ends provided with bearings for said brake-beam, adjustable connections with said arms for limiting the forward movement of the bearings thereon, and means for rocking said brake-beam.

l1. In a vehicle-brake, a brake-shoe having an inclined,transversely-extending slot therein, a brake-beam having a crank-arm with a projecting stud thereon, the said stud fitting within said slot, a swinging supporting-rod for said brake-beam having downwardly-extending arms at its ends provided with bearings for said brake-beam, adjustable bolts on a stationary part of the vehicle, iiexible connections between said bolts and the arms on said supporting-rod, and means for rocking said brake-beam.

l2. In a vehicle-brake, a brake-shoe having a transversely-extending, inclined slot therein, a brake-beam having a crank-arm with a 7o projecting stud thereon, the said stud fitting within said slot, a swinging supporting-rod for said brake-beam having downwardly-extending arms thereon bent back upon themselves to form loops constituting bearings for said brake-beam and thence bent rearwardly to form hooks, adjustable bolts on a stationary part of the vehicle, iiexible connections between said bolts and said hooks, andmeans for rocking said brake-beam.

13. The combination with the trucks and the reach or coupling-pole of a vehicle, said reach or coupling-pole serving to connect the trucks longitudinally movable independent of said trucks, of a pair of brakeshoes, a brake-beam having crank-arms thereon connected with said shoes for moving the same into and out of braking position, bodily-adjustable bearings for said brake beam, a crank-arm on said brake-beam, and connec- 9o tions between said crank-arm and said reach, whereby the movement of said reach in one direction or the other independent of the trucks will rock said brake-beam and throw said brake-shoes into or out of braking position.l

I4. The combination with the reach or coupling-pole of a vehicle, longitudinallymovable independent of the trucks, of a pair of brakeshoes having transversely-extending inclined roo slots therein, a brake-beam having cranks with projecting studs thereon; the said studs fitting within said slots, a supporting-rod for said brake-beam mounted upon the hounds of the rear truck and having downwardly-extending arms at its ends provided with bearings for said brake-beam, means for limiting the extent of the forward movement of said bearings, a crank-arm on said brake-beam, and a pitman connecting said crank-arm with 1 xo said reach, as .and for the purpose set forth.

l5. The combination with the reach or coupling-pole of a vehicle, longitudinally movable independent of the trucks, of a pair of brakeshoes having transversely-extending inclined 1 1 5 slots therein, a brake-beam having cranks with projecting studs thereon, the said studs fitting within said slots, a su pporting-rod for said brake-beam mounted upon the hounds of the rear truck and having downwardly-.erg- 12o tending arms at its ends provided with bear-- ings for said brake-beam, means Yfor limiting the extent of the forward movement of said bearings, a spring for urging said reach toward the rear truck, means for adjusting the l tension of said spring, a crank-arm ou said brake-beam, and a pitman connecting said crank-arm with said reach, as and for the purpose set forth.

1G. The combination with the reach or coup- I 3o ling-pole of a vehicle, longitudinally movable independent of the trucks, of a pair of brakeshoes having transversely-extending inclined slots therein, a brake-beam having cranks with projecting studs thereon, the said' studs fitting within said slots, a supporting-rod for said brake-beam mounted upon the hounds of the rear truck and having downwardly-extending arms at its ends-provided with bear. ings for said brake-beam, means for limiting the extent of the forward movement of said bearings, a spring attached to said reach, a rod extending throughrthe rear bolster andh connected to said spring, a cam pivoted to said rod-and adapted to hear against said hol-- ster for adjusting the tension of said spring, a crank-arm on said brake-beam,- and a fpit man connecting saidcrank-arm with said reach, as and for the purpose set forth.

17. The combinationwith the front and rear trucks of a vehicle, and a reach having a slotted Connection with the king-holt and with.

the hounds of the reartrnok, of a plate on the under side of said reach having an opening therein through which the kin g-holt passes and having upwardlyand rearwardly extend-Y. ing arms which-embrace said reach., draft thennder side of saidreachhaving an ,open-- ing therein through which the king-bolt passesI vand having upwardly and rearwardly extend. i

ing arms which embrace said reach, chains 1' -nin gs:

connecting said arms with the hounds of the rear truck, brake-shoes, yand connections between said brake-shoes and said reach, wherehywhen the latter is moved rearwardly independently of the trucks said brake-shoes will be throwninto operative positions, l

`19. Theeomhination with thef'rontand rear trucks of a vehicle, the reach having a slotted connection with the king-holt and with the hounds ofA the rear truck, and the tongue havingaslotted vconnection with the hounds of the front truck, ot a plate secured to the front vend of said reach and bent upon itselfto form a vertically-disposed segmental slot, a plate upon vthe rearuend of said tongue'hent upon itself to forman nupward1yr-extendingv loop, the rear web of the plate on said tongueiit- .ting within the slotformed hythefplate on said reach, brake-shoes, andoonnections hetween said shoes andsaid reaohvhereby when v said tongue and reacharenioved rearwardly independently ofsaid trunks,saidlrrakefshoes `will be thrown into operative positions 1 In testimony whereot` we have hereunto set our hands in presence of two suhseribing wit- BQSSES.- Y t GREGORY JENNi-Nes. AARON E. JENNINGS.

- Vitne'sses 13o-signature of Gregory Jennings'r' f' Y R. H: HUGHES,

AJP. Rnnnna Witnesses to 'signature ofV Aaron E. Jen- A. AC. Haaren," Boer. MURPHY. 

